Syracuse University

Syracuse University's L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) will mark National Engineers Week with a series of educational and recreational events aimed at spreading the word about the influence of engineers on today's society and bringing SU's engineering students together for networking and fun.

National Engineers Week is celebrated across the United States Feb. 20-26, and ECS' activities will run from Feb. 17-26. Part of the college's celebration is the ECS Olympics, a series of events designed to bring engineering students together for networking and social opportunities.

"The entire community of engineering students, faculty and staff at Syracuse is excited about our annual celebration of the profession," says Can Isik, ECS' senior associate dean for academic and student affairs. "It's a great opportunity to reach out to the community and tell them about engineering, which is a very influential yet invisible profession."

Isik says that engineers are responsible for designing and manufacturing many things that people depend on in their lives today-from cell phones to airplanes-yet most people do not interact with engineers in their daily routines.

"SU engineers are taking part in a nationwide effort to reach schools, businesses and community groups and teach about the impact that engineers make upon the world we live in," Isik says. "And our efforts are paying off. More and more young people are pursuing engineering careers, resulting in a diverse and vigorous engineering workforce."

Planned E-Week events include the following:

• Feb. 17-ECS Olympics Academia Challenge, 369 Link Hall, 7 p.m.
  
• Feb. 18-ECS Olympics Scavenger Hunt, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
  
• Feb. 19-Engineering Futures Workshop, 105 Link Hall, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; ECS Olympics Bowling at Flamingo Lanes, Route 57 in Liverpool, 12:30-2:30 p.m.; Tug-of War Challenge, Main Quad, 3:15 p.m.
  
• Feb. 20-PRIDE Incentive Program Reception (by invitation only), Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel & Conference Center.
  
• Feb. 21-ECS Career Connections, Link Hall lobby, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; NASA-JPL Information Session, 369 Link Hall, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.; Excellus Information Session, 220 Link Hall, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
  
• Feb. 22-ECS Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day; ECS Olympics Penny Wars to benefit St. Jude's Research Hospital, Link Hall lobby, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
  
• Feb. 23-Lecture by Guy Nordenson, principal of Guy Nordenson and Associates in New York City and professor of structural engineering at Princeton University, co-sponsored by the School of Architecture, Sue Ann Genet Auditorium, 108 Slocum Hall, 4:30 p.m. Parking can be arranged through Jeanne Riley in the School of Architecture, 443-2255.
  
• Feb. 24-Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, various locations on campus, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; ECS Olympics Water Bottle Vehicle Design Competition, 369 Link Hall, 7 p.m.
  
• Feb. 25- ECS Olympics Video Game Tournament, 369 Link Hall, 4 p.m.
  

The celebration will culminate in an E-Spectacular Dance and Dinner Buffet on Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. at the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel & Conference Center. Tickets are required and may be obtained by calling (315) 443-5192.

For more information on E-Week activities, contact ECS's Student Support and PRIDE Programs office at 443-5192 or visit http://www.ecs.syr.edu.